Stand up comedy, with all its
disappointments, with all the hard work, and hardly any reward...I am
thinking that the probable reason I do this is because I really do
enjoy just being around intelligent people.

Intelligent people, independent
thinkers, analytically-minded people – this is what I am attracted
to. Ideas, fresh perspectives and unique points of view – this is
what excites, energizes, and engages me.

In this comedy world, I can be myself.
In the outside world I may be ostracized and disliked – for
qualities or actions of mine that may be real or imagined. Things
that may or may not be under my control.

But in the world I live in – a world
of open mics, bar shows and lots of Facebook comments, there, I am
appreciated for my sense of humor. And, my comedy chops mean that I
have the respect of my comedy contemporaries. In this world, my
weight doesn't matter. My age doesn't matter. My gender doesn't
matter. My race doesn't matter. In this world there's only one
thing that counts: Are you funny? Can you make a crowd laugh? Can
you make comedians laugh? This is how people are measured here. If the answer is yes, yes and yes, you are in! Nothing else
is important.

If I was not a comic, I would never
have met the funny, brilliant and unique people that I now consider
my second family.

Not only do I get to work with and stay
sharp with these bright, talented people, but they actually accept
me. I get to talk shop with the best comics in the business. I put
a question out there and I get a hundred answers. I get to workshop,
bullshit, and laugh with the funniest minds out there – and its all
part of my job description.

Here's what I've finally come to
understand about myself – I love comedy, and I love comics.
Laughing with others is a true bonding experience. That is what I
love.

I believe that comics that know me know
how I feel about comedy, how I feel about our profession, and how I
feel about them. I think my affection for the material and the
comics comes through. I am proud to say that the first Lisa's
Clubhouse open mic was a big success. I attribute it to the feeling
of camaraderie that I try to promote at my open mic. I'm so happy
that we had a great mic, and I'm thrilled to have the chance to do it
again next Wednesday. See you there, you squeaky wheels! Don't you
ever stop questioning everything! That's why I love you!